FIFA President Sepp Blatter To Address Defections Of Cuban Players

FIFA President Sepp Blatter "plans to speak with Cuban officials" after three national team players defected in Canada ahead of a World Cup qualifier last week, according to Graham Dunbar of the AP. The players disappeared nine months after two players with the Cuba women’s team fled to the U.S. following a match against Canada in Vancouver. Blatter said Monday that the defections had become “a presidential question” for FIFA and not just an issue for the competitions department. Cuba Coach Alexander Gonzalez said, “As with any Cuban sport team that travels around the world, they’re all chasing the American dream. And it’s difficult to try to keep the team together" (AP, 10/15).